Pages

July 4, 2011

G84: Blue Jays 9, Red Sox 7

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Red Sox pitchers are not created equal, that they are not necessarily endowed by the Front Office with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are a Spot in the Rotation, a Steady Paycheck and the Support of the Fans.

That to secure these rights, a Level of Good Play is instituted among Men of similar stature [and] whenever any Form of Pitching becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Responsibility of the Front Office to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Starter, laying its foundation on such principles as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Success and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Starters long established should not be changed for light and transient causes ... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them to Second or even Third place, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Starter. Such has been the patient sufferance of Red Sox Nation; and such is now the necessity which constrains the Team to alter their current Rotation of Starting Pitchers. The history of the present Starter [John Derran Lackey] is a history of repeated bad outings and meltdowns, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Championship for this 2011 Team. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He lasted only 16 batters on Monday afternoon (2.1-9-7-0-2, 65) , allowing nine hits and seven runs. Eight of the last 11 Blue Jays batters he faced hit safely, with five singles, two doubles, and a home run. It was the fifth time this season (in only 13 outings) that he has allowed in excess of five runs (6, 7, 8, 9, 9). His ERA now stands at a 7.47.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. ... We previously warned the Front Office about its attempt to offer Lackey an unwarranted Lucrative and Long-Term Contract and have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here in Red Sox Nation. We have appealed to their native justice and our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our Pennant Drive and chance of a third Title in a mere eight years. They have been deaf (so far) to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.

The question before this body is: Is our only recourse declaring War on the Front Office and, having gained control of the Team by coup d'etat, jettison the Accursed Tyrant?

Lackey had a very strong and economical start against the Phillies last week (7.2-8-2-1-5, 90), only the second start since April in which he has allowed fewer than four runs. He and Morrow matched up on June 11, when the Red Sox rocked Morrow (4.1-10-9-3-4, 103) and routed the Jays 16-4.

Toronto has lost five of their last seven, and is 10.5 GB in the East.

Ye Olde Days:

July 4, 1900 - The Chicago Colts beat the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader 10-4 and 5-4 (12). Several fans fire pistols to celebrate the holiday; no injuries are reported.

July 4-5, 1985 - The Mets beat Atlanta 16-13 in 19 innings in a game that also included two rain delays. It was Fireworks Night in Atlanta, so when the game ends at 3:55 A.M. (the latest finish in major league history), the show begins. Some local residents call the police, believing the city is under attack.

BRef:Will this bases-loading-IBB madness never end? The Astros were the latest team to shoot themselves in the foot with 50-MPH bullets. They told Mark Melancon to throw 4 wide ones to Adrian Gonzalez in the top of the 9th in a tie game, with 2 out and runners on the corners, preferring to face -- honest! -- Kevin Youkilis with the bases loaded. Melancon walked him on 5 pitches, and the Astros lost, 2-1. Yeah, I know -- it's Adrian Gonzalez, this year's cross between the Abominable Snowman and Keyser Söze. And sure, I'm hip to righty-righty. Two problems, though: (1) Melancon has yielded a higher BA to righty batters, both this year and for his career, while Youkilis does not have a significant platoon split for his career; and (2) loading the bases shifts the crucial measure from A-Gon's batting average (.353 this year, .291 career) to Youk's on-base average (.392, .394). For a bonus, the IBB moved an insurance runner into scoring position. I just don't get it.

Will this bases-loading-IBB madness never end? The Astros were the latest team to shoot themselves in the foot with 50-MPH bullets.

I have to say I am completely behind the BRef guy here. I absolutely detest intentional walks, especially to load the bases, and it's about my favourite thing in baseball when a team gets screwed for doing, including when the Red Sox do it. It's very satisfying when the result is a grand slam but I like it almost better when the pitcher walks in a run.

You know these games when the starting pitcher doesn't have it, and Francona waits exactly long enough for the game to be out of reach before pulling him? It's sort of damning to him the fact that if Francona were actually intentionally trying to make the Sox lose those games, he'd act in exactly the same way.

I know they would never do this, but watching this game. . . it almost seemed to me to be a statement game. Looked like some plays that could have been made behind Lackey weren't. At the very least I'm willing to bet his fielders are not exactly enthused to be thrown under the bus all the time.

I missed part of the game but heard Don say that Darnell pinch-hit for Reddick. Was Reddick stricken with intestinal turmoil in the on deck circle? Or was it another time when Francona made a change for no reason other than to show that he did something proactive?